Tool

Lateralus

First released2001

Lateralus was recorded between 2000 and 2001 at Crest Hill Studios in Los Angeles and other facilities, with the band taking an extended break after the Ænima tour to develop new material. The album was self-produced by Tool, with primary engineering work by David Bottrill, who had previously worked with the band on Ænima. The band employed unconventional recording techniques and spent significant time experimenting with different approaches to songwriting and arrangement, departing from their previous methods and incorporating more complex rhythmic structures and time signatures. The extended production timeline reflected the band's meticulous approach to composition and recording, with particular attention paid to sonic detail and instrumental layering. Lateralus was released in May 2001 and marked the band's first album in six years, showcasing a more progressive and intricate musical direction than their earlier work.